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Authors: David Feldman
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savannas, another strong, if in-conclusive, indication that preference for savanna terrain is genetic.
In the Omni article, Falk also suggested that even the way we ornament our lawns mimics our East African roots. The ponds and fountains that decorate our grasses replicate the natural water formations of our homeland, and the popularity of umbrella-shaped shade trees might represent an attempt to recreate the acacia trees found in the African savanna.
Of course, psychologists have speculated about other reasons why we “need” lawns. The most common theory is that lawns and gardens are a way of taming and domesticating nature in an era in which affluent Westerners are virtually divorced from it. Another explanation is that lawns are a way of mapping territory, just as every other animal marks territory to let others know what property it is ready to defend. This helps explain why so many homeowners are touchy about the neighborhood kid barely scraping their lawn while trying to catch a football. As Dr. Falk told Imponderables , “People create extensions of themselves. When people create a lawn as an extension of themselves, they see a violation of their lawn as a violation of their space.”
Lawns are also a status symbol, for they are a form of prop WHY DO CLOCKS RUN CLOCKWISE? / 49
erty that has a purely aesthetic rather than economic purpose. Historically, only the affluent have been able to maintain lawns—the poor simply didn’t have the land to spare. Fads and fashions in lawns change, but there are usually ways for the rich to differentiate their lawns from the hoi polloi’s. Highly manicured lawns have usually been the preference of the rich, but not always. In the Middle Ages, weeds were considered beautiful. In many parts of the world, mixed breeds of turf are preferred.
American taste has become increasingly conservative. Ever since World War II, the “ideal” American lawn has been a short, mono-culture, weed-free lawn, preferably of Kentucky bluegrass. Falk sees these preferences as carry-overs from the technology used by American agronomists to develop grass for golf courses. Americans always want to build a better mousetrap; our “ideal lawn” has become just about the only type.
Americans have largely resisted the inroads of artificial grass. Although many team owners endorse it, sports fans by and large recoil at artificial turf in sports stadiums—perhaps another genetically determined predisposition.
Submitted by Rick Barber, of Denver, Colorado .
50 / DAVID FELDMAN
Why Do Many Exterminators Wear Hard Hats?
Our correspondent wondered why one of the largest exterminator companies, in its television commercials, dresses its exterminators with nice pants, a dressy shirt, and a hard hat. Is there any practical reason for the hard hat in real life? Is there a marketing reason?
The practical reason: pest-control operators often have to inspect crawl spaces, basements, and cellars full of obstacles—nails, heat ducts, spider webs, and other protruding objects from above. The hard hat helps reduce accidents.
The marketing reason: the hard hat conveys a professional image.
Subliminally, the hard hat is supposed to make the customer think:
“If the exterminator has to wear a hard hat, this work must be too dangerous for a civilian like me! Better leave it to the experts.”
Submitted by Phil Feldman, of Los Angeles, California .
WHY DO CLOCKS RUN CLOCKWISE? / 51
Who Was the Emmy That the Emmy Award Is Named After?
Not who, but what? Unlike the premier theater (Tony) and movie (Oscar) awards, the Emmy isn’t named after a person.
In 1948, the president of the budding National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Charles Brown, formed a committee to select the outstanding achievements in television that year. He also asked for suggestions for a name and symbol for the award.
From the start, technological terms were the top contenders.
“Iconoscope” (a large orthicon tube)
In the Omni article, Falk also suggested that even the way we ornament our lawns mimics our East African roots. The ponds and fountains that decorate our grasses replicate the natural water formations of our homeland, and the popularity of umbrella-shaped shade trees might represent an attempt to recreate the acacia trees found in the African savanna.
Of course, psychologists have speculated about other reasons why we “need” lawns. The most common theory is that lawns and gardens are a way of taming and domesticating nature in an era in which affluent Westerners are virtually divorced from it. Another explanation is that lawns are a way of mapping territory, just as every other animal marks territory to let others know what property it is ready to defend. This helps explain why so many homeowners are touchy about the neighborhood kid barely scraping their lawn while trying to catch a football. As Dr. Falk told Imponderables , “People create extensions of themselves. When people create a lawn as an extension of themselves, they see a violation of their lawn as a violation of their space.”
Lawns are also a status symbol, for they are a form of prop WHY DO CLOCKS RUN CLOCKWISE? / 49
erty that has a purely aesthetic rather than economic purpose. Historically, only the affluent have been able to maintain lawns—the poor simply didn’t have the land to spare. Fads and fashions in lawns change, but there are usually ways for the rich to differentiate their lawns from the hoi polloi’s. Highly manicured lawns have usually been the preference of the rich, but not always. In the Middle Ages, weeds were considered beautiful. In many parts of the world, mixed breeds of turf are preferred.
American taste has become increasingly conservative. Ever since World War II, the “ideal” American lawn has been a short, mono-culture, weed-free lawn, preferably of Kentucky bluegrass. Falk sees these preferences as carry-overs from the technology used by American agronomists to develop grass for golf courses. Americans always want to build a better mousetrap; our “ideal lawn” has become just about the only type.
Americans have largely resisted the inroads of artificial grass. Although many team owners endorse it, sports fans by and large recoil at artificial turf in sports stadiums—perhaps another genetically determined predisposition.
Submitted by Rick Barber, of Denver, Colorado .
50 / DAVID FELDMAN
Why Do Many Exterminators Wear Hard Hats?
Our correspondent wondered why one of the largest exterminator companies, in its television commercials, dresses its exterminators with nice pants, a dressy shirt, and a hard hat. Is there any practical reason for the hard hat in real life? Is there a marketing reason?
The practical reason: pest-control operators often have to inspect crawl spaces, basements, and cellars full of obstacles—nails, heat ducts, spider webs, and other protruding objects from above. The hard hat helps reduce accidents.
The marketing reason: the hard hat conveys a professional image.
Subliminally, the hard hat is supposed to make the customer think:
“If the exterminator has to wear a hard hat, this work must be too dangerous for a civilian like me! Better leave it to the experts.”
Submitted by Phil Feldman, of Los Angeles, California .
WHY DO CLOCKS RUN CLOCKWISE? / 51
Who Was the Emmy That the Emmy Award Is Named After?
Not who, but what? Unlike the premier theater (Tony) and movie (Oscar) awards, the Emmy isn’t named after a person.
In 1948, the president of the budding National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Charles Brown, formed a committee to select the outstanding achievements in television that year. He also asked for suggestions for a name and symbol for the award.
From the start, technological terms were the top contenders.
“Iconoscope” (a large orthicon tube)
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